Dogs at Christmas markets, Digi Mart USA News (Germany): For many people, the pre-Christmas season means mulled wine aromas, festive music and dense crowds. For dogs, however, these conditions can quickly become a nightmare.
Dog trainer Jessica Piche of the dog school “train_pawsitive” in Soest sounded the alarm after visiting the Allerheiligenkirmes fair, which ran from November 4 to 8. She posted her frustration on Instagram.
Within just four hours, she encountered five small dogs whose condition troubled her. According to her account, the animals were pulled by their owners through the completely overcrowded fair.
The dogs had to make their way between legs, strollers and tightly packed visitors, and their leashes were repeatedly yanked. Piche urges owners to put themselves in their dogs’ position, since an overcrowded fair looks very different from about 30 centimeters off the ground.
Ahead of the coming Advent season, the Altdeutsche Weihnachtsmarkt in Bad Wimpfen has also made a clear request to pet owners. On social media, the market said its grounds are not a suitable place for dogs and other animals, as the crowds, loud noises and intense smells can be very stressful for them.
Organizers therefore ask visitors to leave their animal companions at home in a familiar, quiet environment.
Several factors can make a Christmas market visit unpleasant or even dangerous for dogs. Dogs perceive sounds and smells far more intensely than people, and loud music, noise and varied odors can overwhelm them.
In the crush, small dogs have little room to step aside and may be accidentally trodden on.
Hazards also lie on the ground, where broken glass, food scraps or dropped sweets can pose a danger. The animal welfare organization VIER PFOTEN likewise recommends leaving dogs at home when visiting Christmas markets.
The problem is that not every dog shows distress through barking or obvious panic. Small signals are often overlooked, such as a tucked tail, flattened ears, frequent lip-licking or conspicuous panting.
A dog that repeatedly tries to move away should be taken seriously.
Simply walking calmly on a leash does not mean a dog is enjoying the outing. Some dogs are accustomed to bustle and remain relaxed in busy surroundings, but overcrowded Christmas markets leave little room to retreat.
For many visits, the better choice is to leave the dog in its familiar surroundings, provided it can stay alone calmly. Otherwise, care by trusted people may be sensible.
If bringing the dog is unavoidable, it is advisable to choose quieter visiting times, avoid crowds and watch the dog closely.
The Soest trainer sums up the message on Instagram: “A dog does not have to be there everywhere.”
